EL BERRO IS A SERRANA VILLAGE SITUATED TO ABOUT AN ALTITUDE OF 600m JUST AT THE LIMIT BETWEEN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF ALHAMA AND MULA. IT HAS MORE THAN 180 INHABITANTS WHO ARE DEDICATED TO AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK AND TO TAKE CARE OF SMALL FAMILY BUSINESSES LIKE BAKERIES, A SMALL SUPERMARKET, TWO RESTAURANTS AND ACCOMMODATIONS DEDICATED RURAL TOURISM. THEIR ORIGINS AS A VILLAGE ARE RELATED AT THE END OF THE 18TH CENTURY, BUT THE AREA HAS ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF MORE THAN 7,000 YEARS OF HISTORY.
The route starts next to the campsite through the road that crosses the ravine of El Berro and ascends towards Sierra Espuña. Soon this road is abandoned to go forward and upwards to view the panoramic sights of El Berro and the Morrón de Alhama. The PR marks take us into the Sierra – through the paths of Agüica and Lomo. When you reach the road that leads to the area of the Perdiz and Casa Leiva, the slope becomes much kinder. Follow in that direction and continue along its left bank then take the old forest road that appears on the left. Under a leafy pine forest full of aromatics, two large ridge firewalls are crossed. After the second one, continue in an easterly direction through a narrow path under the wooded area to see the imposing walls of Leiva and the peppers of Alhama and Totana, in the distance. Now proceed through some of the old areas from the 19th century that have undergone reforestation.
| Type of features | Description |
| Historical | Forest House – Las Alquerías. Old forest nursery. Excellent nearby repopulation trails of the late nineteenth century: Villa medieval de Aledo (Torre del Homenaje s. XII. Picota s. XVI. Iglesia Santa María La Real. Obras de Salzillo). Santa Leocadia. |
| Cultural/ethnographic | Old, traditional gardens/orchards. Balsa Chica. Camping area. Nearby: Aledo (Patron festivities in honour of Santa María La. Real – 2nd half of August. Fiesta del Carro. Auto de los Reyes Magos, a festival of regional tourist interest. La agonía de Viernes Santo. The Puja dance. The jirillos. La Noche en Vela. Festival of gangs. Traditional music. Crafts: ceramics |
| Environmental | The entire route runs through a protected natural area Dense pine forest with numerous species of Mediterranean middle mountain scrub. Monumental trees. Wildlife sighting. Obvious traces of the reforestation of the late nineteenth century. Wide landscapes of the Espuña central mass of rock and areas outside the park. Interesting geological outcrops. Heights in excess of 1,200 m. Links with other approved trails. |
| Socio-economic Resource | Forest area. Environmental education and ecotourism activities. |
| Hostelry/Refreshments | Restaurant – Los Donceles. Restaurant – Mandola. Restaurant – Rincón del Grillo. |
| Accommodation | Albergue Aula de Naturaleza de las Alquerías. Hotel La Santa. Country house – Los Faroles. Country house – El Pino. Aledo Rural. |
| Other establishments | Autoservicio Miguel (self-service supermarket) Panadería la Muralla (bakery) Gasolinera de Aledo (petrol station) |
| Other activities | Nature Hall of Las Alquerías. Ecoespuña-La Hojarasca S.L. |
| Tipo de recurso | Descripción |
| Histórico | Casa forestal Las Alquerías. Antiguo vivero forestal. Excelentes senderos de repoblación de finales del siglo XIX. En las inmediaciones Villa medieval de Aledo (Torre del Homenaje s. XII. Picota s. XVI. Iglesia Santa María La Real. Obras de Salzillo) y Santa Leocadia. |
| Cultural/etnográfico | Antigua huerta tradicional. Balsa Chica. Zona de acampada. En las inmediaciones Aledo: Fiestas patronales en honor a Santa María La Real. 2ª quincena de agosto. Fiesta del Carro. Auto de los Reyes Magos, fiesta de interés turístico regional. La agonía de Viernes Santo. El baile de la Puja. Los jirillos. La Noche en Vela. Festival de cuadrillas. Música tradicional. Artesanía: cerámica. |
| Ambiental | Toda la ruta discurre por un espacio natural protegido. Denso bosque de pinar con numerosas especies de matorral de media montaña mediterránea. Árboles monumentales. Avistamiento de fauna silvestre. Rastros evidentes de las repoblaciones forestales de finales del siglo XIX. Amplios paisajes del macizo central de Espuña y de zonas externas al Parque. Interesantes afloramientos geológicos. Cotas superiores a los 1.200 m de altitud. Enlaces con otros senderos homologados. |
| Recursos socioeconómicos | Zona forestal. Actividades de educación ambiental y ecoturismo. |
| Hostelería | Restaurante Los Donceles. Restaurante Mandola. Restaurante Rincón del Grillo. |
| Alojamientos | Albergue Aula de Naturaleza de las Alquerías. Hotel La Santa. Casa rural Los Faroles. Casa rural El Pino. Aledo Rural. |
| Otros establecimientos | Autoservicio Miguel. Panadería la Muralla. Gasolinera de Aledo. |
| Otras actividades | Aula de Naturaleza de Las Alquerías. Ecoespuña-La Hojarasca S.L. |
This route begins in the denso pinar de Las Alquerías, fruit of the forestry hydrological restoration at the end of the xix century directed by the illustrious Ricardo Codorníu from Cartagena and other mountain engineers.
It is one of the most characteristic and surprising trails within protected landscape surrounding the barbecues of Gebas. The hidden wonders of Murcia is close and can be enjoyed by all.
Route PR-MU 78 constitutes one of the most agreeable and attractive visits to the deep pinares of the escarpadas hills of Perona and forest. It gradualy follows the layout of a forest track located in a large part of the route to about an altitude of 700m.
Pedro López boasts an altitude of 1,568m, the second highest summit of Sierra Espuña. The position of this route enables walkers to enjoy beautiful views of the valley. The magnificent 360º panoramic view ensures a treat of spectacular sunsets.
